Alabama Crimson Tide vs Creighton Bluejays Prediction, 12/16/2023 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Alabama Crimson Tide vs Creighton Bluejays

Date: Saturday, December 16, 2023

Location: CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, NE

TV: ESPN+

CHI Health Center Omaha is the site where the Creighton Bluejays (8-2) will attempt to beat the Alabama Crimson Tide (6-3) on Saturday.

The Alabama Crimson Tide stepped onto the hardwood against Purdue and took a loss by a score of 92-86 in their last game. Alabama finished the game having earned a 45.3% field goal percentage (29 out of 64) and made 19 of their 46 shots from 3-point land. At the free throw line, the Crimson Tide converted 9 of their 14 attempts for a percentage of 64.3%. In the matter of grabbing rebounds, they earned 30 with 10 of them being on the offensive end. They also recorded 20 dimes for this contest while forcing 9 turnovers and getting 5 steals. Concerning defense, Alabama allowed 48.4% from the floor on 30 out of 62 shooting. Purdue doled out 22 dimes and had 9 steals for the game. Furthermore, Purdue pulled down 32 rebounds (10 offensive, 22 defensive), but didn't notch a rejection. Purdue finished the game at 85.7% at the charity stripe by knocking down 24 of 28 attempts. They also converted 8 out of their 18 attempts from downtown. When discussing fouls, the Crimson Tide ended up with 24 while Purdue recorded 15 fouls.

Mark Sears is a player who came through for the contest. He went 52.0% from the floor and also totaled 1 assist. He was on the hardwood for 35 mins and totaled 4 rebounds. He notched 35 points on 13 of 25 shooting.

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Alabama heads into this game with a mark of 6-3 for the season. They currently have an average of 93.2 pts per game (3rd in D-1) while going 49.4% from the field. The Crimson Tide are hitting 40.9% on three-point shots (104 of 254) and 78.9% from the charity stripe. As a unit, Alabama is collecting 39.6 boards per game and has earned 142 dimes on the campaign, which ranks 149th in D-1 in terms of passing the rock. They cough up possession 11.9 times per contest and as a group are committing 18.9 personal fouls on a nightly basis.

On the defensive end, the Crimson Tide are able to force 12.3 turnovers per game while drawing 22.0 fouls. They are 72nd in the nation in giving up assists with 104 surrendered on the year. The Crimson Tide defensively are giving up an opponent FG percentage of 44.1% (241 of 547) and they relinquish 32.2 boards per game as a squad. They relinquish 33.7% on three-point shots and they are ranked 299th in college hoops in PPG allowed (76.8).

When they last stepped on the court, the Creighton Bluejays went home defeated by a final of 79-64 when they played UNLV. The Bluejays were able to snag 20 defensive boards and 10 offensive rebounds for a total of 30 in the matchup. They also turned it over 11 times, while getting 2 steals for this contest. UNLV was called for 13 personal fouls for the matchup which got the Bluejays to the charity stripe for 13 tries. They were able to make 12 of them for a rate of 92.3%. In reference to shooting from beyond the arc, Creighton made 8 of 29 attempts (27.6%). When all was said and done, the Bluejays shot 22 for 55 from the field which had them at 40.0%. The Bluejays permitted UNLV to knock down 32 out of their 61 tries from the floor which gave them a shooting percentage of 52.5% in the game. They finished 45.5% from beyond the arc via 10 out of 22 and walked away from this one shooting 5 of 5 from the charity stripe (100.0%). In the matter of rebounds, Creighton allowed UNLV to grab 28 in all (6 offensive).

Ryan Kalkbrenner was important for the Bluejays in this contest. He totaled 22 points in his 35 minutes on the hardwood, but went home with no dimes. He made 9 out of 13 in this contest giving him a field goal percentage of 69.2%, and totaled 8 rebounds.

Creighton has a mark of 8-2 this year. When it comes to executing on offense, the Bluejays are connecting on 50.2% from the field, which ranks them 21st in college basketball. Creighton has totaled 845 points for the year (84.5 per contest) and they snag 40.4 boards per game. Their rate of earning assists is at 17.9 times per game (21st in college hoops) and they turn the ball over 10.2 times per contest. The Bluejays have committed 9.3 fouls every game and they shoot 76.5% from the charity stripe.

The Bluejays defensively are ranked 56th in Division 1 in points given up per game with 65.0. They are forcing 7.5 TO's per game and allow teams to shoot 41.3% from the field (117th in the country). The Creighton defense allows 30.1% on shots from beyond the perimeter (49 of 163) and their opposition knocks down 75.3% of their foul shots. They have surrendered 10.4 assists and 30.3 rebounds every game, which ranks 45th and 22nd in college hoops.

Who will win tonight's NCAA basketball game against the spread?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Creighton

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